Chapter 61: The whole world is in uproar, Liu Wu is the most powerful, undercurrents surge

Guangling City. Zhou Yu had just arrived at the city wall of Guangling when he was startled by the appearance of Guan Ping.

“Guan Ping? Are you the son of Guan Yu? Aren’t you in Nanyang? How come you are in Xuzhou?”

Zhou Yu was shocked and obviously found it unbelievable that Guan Yu’s son Guan Ping appeared here.

“Haha, this is not something that Grand Commander Zhou is concerned about. However, my father is in Xiaopei. I wonder if Grand Commander Zhou is here to have a drink with my father?”

Guan Ping said with a laugh on the city wall.

However, although Guan Ping appeared relaxed, his fists were clenched tightly and he was very nervous.

It is impossible not to be nervous. There are no less than ten thousand Jiangdong soldiers under Guangling City, and where are the soldiers in Guangling City?

Five hundred people.

He had only five hundred soldiers, and the rest were young and strong men drawn from the city to fill the numbers.

He was afraid that Zhou Yu would suddenly attack the city, so he could only bring up the name of his father Guan Yu.

“Guan Yu is in Xiaopei!”

When Zhou Yu heard Guan Ping’s words, his eyes narrowed immediately, and his gaze kept moving back and forth on the city wall, observing the number of people on the wall.

Although Zhou Yu was not very sure about the purpose of Cao Cao’s sudden large-scale retreat, he understood that Cao Cao definitely had other ideas. Now was definitely a good opportunity to expand his territory.

The Guangling City in front of him was actually occupied by Guan Yu’s troops, which was really beyond Zhou Yu’s expectations.

However, after a quick glance, Zhou Yu saw that there were no less than 3,000 soldiers guarding the city wall, so he finally did not order an attack on the city.

The truth is, since Guan Ping appears here, Guan Yu must be not far away.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Guan Yu is now the best military general in the world, and he is still very intimidating.

Of course, one reason is that it is not easy to defeat Guan Yu.

On the other hand, Jiangdong and Wancheng are still in the honeymoon period, and it is uncertain whether Guangling City can be captured, so Zhou Yu did not dare to directly order an attack on the city.

“It is an honor for Zhou to drink with Guan Yu, but I am busy with military affairs. I think I will have another chance someday.”

“withdraw!”

Zhou Yu shouted to Guan Ping on the city wall, then waved his hand and ordered the army to withdraw.

Guan Ping, who was on the city wall, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhou Yu finally retreat.

In fact, Guan Yu was not in Xiaopei, but in Pengcheng, the capital of Xuzhou.

Just when Guan Ping and Zhou Yu met.

The time had finally come for Cao’s army outside Wancheng in Nanyang County to retreat.

The Chinese military tent.

“Report to the Minister of Works, almost all the troops have been evacuated. Shangshu Ling reports to the Minister of Works, we can evacuate now!”

The messenger reported loudly to Cao Cao, who was sitting in the main seat.

“Are we finally going to withdraw? Ahem.”

Cao Cao, who was sitting in the main seat, seemed to have aged ten years, with a head full of white hair. When he heard that he could also leave, he spoke in a sad tone.

Guo Jia, Xun You, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, Xu Chu, Le Jin, Zhang He and other civil and military officials in the big tent were all silent, with very ugly expressions.

Cao Chun stood up, cried bitterly to Cao Cao, and said:
“Brother, don’t be so sad. We are only retreating temporarily and will definitely come back.”

“Yes, Sikong, we will come back to fight.”

“I will come back sooner or later. I can’t let Liu Bei off.”

“And Liu Biao and Sun Quan, kill them all.”

The heroes in the big tent were furious. Obviously, giving up the Kanto region made them feel extremely distressed and humiliated.

“Well said, he will come back to kill us someday, let’s retreat!”

Cao Cao took a deep breath and said with an angry laugh.

withdraw!
After packing up, Cao’s army retreated northward in an orderly manner.

“Hey, why did Cao’s army retreat?”

“what’s the situation?”

As soon as Cao’s army showed signs of retreat, it was immediately noticed by the scouts of Wen Pin’s army. When the news reached Wen Pin and Kuai Liang, they were both quite surprised and puzzled.

Wen Pin and Kuai Liang rode out on their horses and watched Cao’s army moving further and further north. They became even more suspicious and looked at the posture of Cao’s army.

Is this a real retreat?
what on earth is it?

Wen Pin and Kuai Liang were very puzzled. Ever since they had attacked Cao’s army at night and set up a pincer attack outside Wancheng, Cao’s army had been quiet until now when it withdrew. Wen Pin and Kuai Liang were puzzled by Cao’s army’s actions.

“Report to the general, Cao’s army did not retreat to Xudu, but went north.”

The scout came on horseback to report, and Wen Pin and Kuai Liang looked at each other.

Kuai Liang frowned and said:

“The Cao army did not retreat to Xudu, but went north? Haven’t you heard that Yuan Shang in the north launched an attack on the Cao army? Could it be that they went to support Guanzhong? This is possible. Gao Gan, Ma Teng, and Han Sui raised an army of 200,000, which caused quite a stir.”

The more Kuai Liang analyzed, the more he felt that Cao Cao’s purpose of leading the army northward was to march into Guanzhong.

Wen Pin on the side also nodded, he also felt that Kuai Liang’s analysis made sense.

After all, attacking Wancheng was for revenge, but Guanzhong depended on Cao Cao’s arm. It was easy to tell which was more important.

“General, military advisor, Mr. Pang Tong is here!”

Just as Kuai Liang and Wen Pin returned to the military camp, Pang Tong came to ask for a meeting.

“General Wen Pin, the Cao army has retreated. We have joined forces to force them to retreat and resist them. Now that the Cao army has retreated, can you also withdraw your troops?” Pang Tong said to Wen Pin and Kuai Liang with a smile.

Wen Pin and Kuai Liang looked at each other and saw surprise in each other’s eyes, but then they couldn’t help but smile.

The Cao army had just retreated, and Liu Bei was so impatient that he asked them to retreat as well?

Are you afraid that they have intentions towards Wancheng?
Kuai Liang couldn’t help laughing and said:
“Shi Yuan, Cao’s army has only just withdrawn a few dozen miles, are you so impatient to chase us away?”

“If Cao’s army comes back to attack us, it will be bad, right?”

“Also, I have been in Wancheng for such a long time, but I have not met Lord Xuande yet. Now that Cao’s army has retreated, I must meet him and have a drink with him.”

Kuai Liang said to Pang Tong with a smile, expressing his goodwill.

When Kuai Liang said this, he really was thinking about Wancheng.

After all, now that they have business cooperation with Wancheng, Kuai Liang still wants to be on good terms with Liu Bei.

However, facing Kuai Liang’s good intentions, Pang Tong shook his head and said:
“I’m afraid I’ve disappointed Military Advisor Kuai. My lord has caught a cold and is unable to see guests. We’ll have to meet next time.”

“Also, Cao’s army is unlikely to come back, so General Wen Pin should withdraw his troops as agreed.”

Pang Tong’s somewhat abrupt way of chasing people away made Wen Pin laugh out loud.

“Haha, military advisor, I’m afraid they are worried about our intentions towards Wancheng and can’t wait to drive us away. Let’s withdraw tomorrow.”

Wen Pin had no interest in staying in Wancheng.

Kuai Liang also smiled bitterly. He also heard the tone of chasing people away from Pang Tong’s voice. He thought Liu Bei was afraid that their army would be detrimental to Wancheng. Immediately, Kuai Liang did not hesitate and bowed to Pang Tong and said:
“Since Cao’s army has withdrawn and Xuande is unwell, let’s withdraw tomorrow.”

“Thank you!” Pang Tong smiled and bowed to Kuai Liang and Wen Pin.

On the same day, after sending Pang Tong away, Kuai Liang and Wen Pin directly issued an order to withdraw the troops the next day.

They didn’t think much about it.

They did not receive any order from Liu Biao to take advantage of the situation to attack Wancheng.

The next morning, Wen Pin led a large army southward.

On the city wall of Wancheng.

Liu Wu, along with Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Pang Tong, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Yang Xiu, Zhang Fei, Chen Dao and others, climbed up the city wall and watched Wen Pin’s army gradually moving away from afar.

Liu Wu laughed and said, “It seems that Wen Pin and Kuai Liang have not yet realized that Cao Cao has already moved a large number of troops to Guanzhong.”

“Hahaha, by the time Liu Biao notices it, the opportunity will be gone.” Zhang Fei laughed loudly, and now he looked at Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang, both of whom were glowing.

It’s so amazing. Although he doesn’t have powerful military force, he has a very good brain.

In the blink of an eye, it was the gain or loss of a state or several counties.

During their confrontation with Cao’s army, Zhuge Liang also returned to Wancheng from Guanzhong.

“Shi Yuan’s strategy is brilliant. The next step will make Jingzhou’s upper class nobles and Liu Biao even more uncomfortable. By then, the 200,000 or 300,000 soldiers and horses in Jingzhou will probably have to call you their lord.” Zhuge Liang said softly, shaking his feather fan and looking at Wen Pin’s army that was going away.

Xu Shu, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Yang Xiu, Zhang Fei and Chen Dao were all shocked when they heard Zhuge Liang’s words.

Liu Wu’s eyes were also shining.

He is looking forward to that day, and it will be worth his time planning for Jingzhou.

……

Time passed quietly. Another half a month had passed. Cao’s army withdrew to Guanzhong, and Wen Pin also led his army back to Xiangyang. However, the explosive news had just swept the world.

Cao Cao gave up the three and a half states of Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou and half of Yangzhou in Guandong and withdrew into Guanzhong.

Zhou Yu, the Grand Commander of Jiangdong, took advantage of the situation to capture the important town of Hefei, and then marched straight forward to capture important towns such as Jiujiang County and Shouchun in the north of Yangzhou. Yangzhou completely belonged to Sun Quan.

But the next news was explosive.

Cao’s army retreated, and Liu Bei’s general Guan Yu took over Xuzhou, general Zhao Yun took over Yuzhou, and generals Gan Ning and Gan Xingba took over Yanzhou. Liu Bei took over from Cao Cao and controlled the three states of Xuzhou, Yuzhou and Yanzhou.

With the addition of the imperial hometown of Nanyang County, Liu Bei’s sphere of influence replaced Cao Cao’s and became the number one prince in the world.

Such explosive news swept the world, and everyone was in an uproar.

Outside Hulao Pass, the mighty Cao army was in its central position.

“What? Liu Bei took over everything?”

When Cao Cao suddenly heard that Guan Yu, Zhao Yun and Gan Ning, generals under Liu Bei, had taken over the three states of Xuzhou, Yuzhou and Yanzhou just after Cao’s army withdrew, he was furious and grabbed the messenger and asked.

“Sikong, Sikong…”

The messenger was terrified and shouted hurriedly.

“Damn Liu Bei, Liu Bei, I, Cao Cao, will kill you, will kill you!” Cao Cao was furious and could no longer hold back. He raised his sword and slashed wildly as if he had gone mad. The messenger was hacked to death on the spot. Guo Jia, Xun You, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, Xu Chu, Le Jin, Zhang He and other civil and military officials were all panicked and hurriedly dodged Cao Cao’s sword. Several military generals rushed forward to control Cao Cao.

……

Xiangyang, the residence of General Zhennan.

“What? Cao Cao has completely retreated to Guanzhong, and Liu Bei’s generals Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and Gan Ning have just taken over Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou as soon as Cao’s troops have retreated? How is this possible!”

Liu Bian’s face changed drastically and he exclaimed in shock.

In the hall, Wen Pin and Kuai Liang both looked unhappy. They finally understood why Pang Tong was so impatient for them to withdraw as soon as Cao’s army retreated.

It was obvious that Liu Bei was afraid that they would find out that Cao’s army was retreating to Guanzhong and that they would compete with Liu Bei for territory.

And they were so foolish as to withdraw their troops directly.

“Even Sun Quan has occupied Hefei, Jiujiang, Shouchun and other places, and has taken over Yangzhou. This… each party has gained power, but I, Xiangyang, have gained nothing?”

Liu Bian said with a grim expression, but his eyes were looking at Wen Pin and Kuai Liang.

However, Wen Pin and Kuai Liang were also wronged.

They just led their troops to fight against Cao’s army together with Liu Bei.

“Then can we send troops to Wancheng to capture the important town of Wancheng? After all, Liu Bei’s troops are now distributed in three states, and he cannot have so many troops!”

Just then, Cai Mao suddenly said.

Cai Mao was also jealous of Liu Bei’s direct occupation of three states.

When Liu Biao heard Cai Mao’s words, his eyes suddenly lit up.

But at this time, Wen Pin poured a basin of cold water on him and said:
“Provincial Governor, Wancheng is not only guarded by General Zhang Fei, but also has at least 10,000 soldiers. These soldiers are all wearing armor made of iron-cutting weapons. I’m afraid it will be difficult to attack.”

“This…” When Liu Biao and others heard that the Wancheng soldiers’ armor was made of iron-cutting weapons, they thought of the sharpness of the iron-cutting weapons and felt it was difficult.

“Alas, Liu Xuande’s reputation for benevolence and righteousness is known to the world. Even if his power grows, he will not make things difficult for Xiangyang. After all, Xiangyang sent troops to help him when he was in trouble, and the governor of this state also took him in in Xinye in his early years.”

Liu Biao took a deep breath and said, “But he didn’t plan to attack Wancheng. For Liu Biao, he was old and he was not so enthusiastic about expanding his territory. The key was to ensure safety. Liu Bei’s reputation for benevolence and righteousness made Liu Biao feel that Liu Bei would not attack Jingzhou.”

Liu Biao made the decision, and everyone looked at each other, including Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang and others, but they didn’t say anything anymore.

A lot of snow salt, rice paper, sugar and soap have been shipped to them from Wancheng, and they will be able to roll them out in Xiangyang soon. They don’t want to create trouble at this time.

However, they also had to sigh that Liu Bei was really lucky to have taken over Cao Cao’s three states. In terms of territory, he became the number one prince in the world.

……

Just as the top leaders in Jingzhou were discussing the unprecedented expansion of Liu Wu’s power.

Jiangdong was also not peaceful.

Jiangdong, Wu County.

Wu Hou Mansion, meeting hall.

Sun Quan sat in the main seat with a sullen look on his face.

Below, civil officials such as Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Lu Xun, Yu Fan, and Lu Su gathered.

“What a great guy Liu Xuande is. He actually took advantage of the situation to seize three states of Cao Cao. What a great move. We have all become part of his siege against Cao Cao.”

Sun Quan should have been happy about taking Yangzhou, but when he thought that Liu Bei had actually taken three states directly, Sun Quan felt that Hefei, Jiujiang and Shouchun were no longer attractive because the gap was too big.

“Lord Wu, I think that Liu Bei has cast too large a net. He cannot possibly have the strength to occupy the three states. I should immediately send a message to the commander-in-chief to send troops to attack Xuzhou!” Lu Su said to Sun Quan with a serious face.

Sun Quan and others also agreed with Lu Su’s words. After all, it had only been a year or two since Liu Bei’s sphere of influence expanded from a small place called Xinye to three states plus a Dixiang County. This was definitely unstable.

“Attack Xuzhou? Doesn’t Xuzhou have the great general Guan Yu? Why not attack Yuzhou? Zhao Yun is not as strong as Guan Yu, right?” Sun Quan asked Lu Su.

Hearing this, Lu Su cupped his hands and said, “Liu Bei does not have enough troops, so he will not send more troops to Guan Yu. He is probably counting on Guan Yu’s reputation to guard Xuzhou, but Guan Yu certainly does not have many men under his command.”

When everyone heard Lu Su’s words, they immediately felt that it made sense.

“Okay, immediately send a signal to the commander-in-chief, and have the army attack Xuzhou!” Sun Quan said without hesitation. The marriage relationship with Liu Bei had no binding force at all in front of a state.

(End of this chapter)